But this image popped up too and no to this style of reform, indeed!
My Comments first: Below is an audio recording link from a talk by Msgr. Wadsworth, a noted liturgical scholar and instrumental in the new English translation of the Mass. Below the link of his talk, that has a bit of a long introduction and the recording is not the best, is my summary of his points as accurately as I could list them as he spoke.
In a nutshell this is what he says about the future reform of the Latin Rite: A. More silence before, during and after Mass! B. Chant the Mass and its propers, use less hymns imposed on the Mass! C. Kneel for Holy Communion! D. Use true sacred chant and music, not secular tunes set to sacred words! E. Priest and ministers are not performers and the congregation is not to be entertained which implies that the priest should not face the congregation for most of the Mass and neither the cantor and choir!
DOES THIS SOUND LIKE OUR REFORM OF THE REFORM OF THE ORDINARY FORM OF THE MASS AT ST. JOSEPH'S 12:10 MASS FOR THE SOLEMNITY OF THE NATIVITY OF SAINT JOHN THE BAPTIST THIS PAST SUNDAY? I ASK, YOU ANSWER!
YOU CAN HEAR MONSIGNOR ANDREW WADSWORTH'S TALK ON WEDNESDAY NIGHT IN SALT LAKE CITY BY PRESSING HERE. IT IS EXCELLENT.
Synopsis of the talk:
1. Unwarranted wholesale revision of the Roman Rite after the Second Vatican Council which created a breach with the unchanging character of the Liturgy since about the 6th century (unchanging in the sense of organic incremental development of the Roman Rite codified at the Council of Trent) but the revision of the Mass after Vatican II was imposed rather than actually building on the liturgical developments of the 1940's and 50's in a conservative way and using flawed scholarship, the biggest elephant in the liturgical room of the reformers of the Mass under Pope Paul VI's charge!
2. Flawed scholarship implementing Sacrosanctum Concilium was the basis of some of the reform which was imposed and this needs to be uncovered, admitted and rectified
3. Some positive developments in the post Vatican II period, the Sacred Triduum, the Liturgy of the Hours prayed by greater number of laity, wider selection of readings, greater appreciation of the proper role of chant and music in the liturgy, Baptism as the foundation of liturgical participation, Eucharistic adoration in parish life
4. Some negative developments and irregularities such as myopic, congregationalism, no longer understanding of belonging to the universal Church with a universal liturgy; transferring solemnities to Sundays, such as Epiphany and Ascension; any amount of music of any type of genre is acceptable; spontaneity and improvisation with the official prayers of the Mass; proliferation of liturgical ministries confusing the ministerial role of the ordained; priests and ministers cast in the order of performers and congregations expecting to be entertained; manner of distribution and reception of Holy Communion creating irreverence; proliferation of Communion Services in the absence of a priest presided over by lay persons; banality of liturgical music, causing an anti-liturgical culture; active participation has been confused with external participation,
5. Stinging criticism of the closing Mass of the Eucharistic Congress just held in Dublin, Ireland and the damage this caused to the true renewal of the Liturgy when broadcast throughout the world!
6. The General Instruction of the Roman Missal must be enforced
7. Much still remains to be done for true liturgical renewal, the liturgy of the future:
A. sense of reverence for the texts of the Roman Rite and our unity in the Roman Rite which is more evident in the revised English Text
B. Read and study Sacrosanctum Concilium rather than the spirit of the Council so many liturgists have shoved down our throats in the post-Vatican II period, including those who revised the Mass according to flawed scholarship!
C. Careful attention to the calendar and the norms of the liturgy
D. Dignified and reverent liturgy with careful preparation that focuses on the vertical aspect of the Mass and subjugates the horizontal aspect of the community
E. Recovery of the Latin tradition of the Roman Rite, need the recovery of the teaching and learning of Latin
F. Far greater commitment to silence, before, during and after the celebration of the Liturgy!
G. Exclusion of music that is not liturgical, contemporary or classical
H. Music that only expresses secular culture must be eliminated; the idiom of chant must be recovered in Latin and English
I. Commitment to the art of celebrating the Latin Rite by priests and deacons
J. Devotions need to be in harmony with the Liturgy
K. Singing of the proper texts rather than the endless singing of substitution of the propers with hymns
L. The liturgy is a gift we receive from the Church rather than what we make for ourselves
1 comment:
Many in the Church now realize how the Church has gone wrong, but are not sure how to get it back on track. Some of us are old enough to remember when be believed that the Church herself could never mislead us spiritually. But now a much more nuanced idea of her indefectibility is required. Because we have lived through an era when official Church representatives--from local priests and religious to bishops to the Vatican--have made grievous pastoral errors and did indeed lead the faithful astray in moral and spiritual matters.
It seems to me that the main obstacle to correcting past errors is admitting them forthrightly. Consistent with the Catholic dictum that admission of guilt must precede purpose of amendment.
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